Steam

[watercooled]

I'm considering downloading Steam to my PC as I'm after games like Portal (and the Prelude expansion). I don't really like the idea of having bloated software on my PC or anything that slows down my system/boots at startup, runs in the background, etc. I prefer Pidgin to MSN messenger, VLC to iTunes, for example. I also certainly don't want any sort of adware, or any other form of unwanted software. What are your opinions on Steam, and do I have any reason to be concerned about using it?
Thanks

[directhex]

Steam can be set not to load on windows boot, via a tickbox

[Fraz]

I think it's very good, especially if you play games on multiple machines. You can configure it not to start at bootup, so it won't slow down your boot time. Just fire it up when you want to play some games.

Basically, the only annoyance with steam is the occasional ad pop-up that tells you about new games available on steam when you start it up. Otherwise, I'm quite a fan. It patches all your games for you as well.

[GheeTsar]

It's pretty good most of the time - auto patching of software is very helpful in particular and not too intrusive even when running. I generally only run Steam if I want to play a Steam based game. Sometimes you can even buy a game for a bargain price on there (not that often mind).

[GheeTsar]

Basically, the only annoyance with steam is the occasional ad pop-up that tells you about new games available on steam when you start it up.

I think you can disable these ( I don't get them anymore)

[Fraz]

I think you can disable these ( I don't get them anymore)

Ah - fair enough. Don't think I've spotted that. I don't mind them too much, as sometimes it's quite handy to see what's available.

[magneticman]

settings > interface > untick 'notify me blah blah'

just in case.

[Alaron251]

I'm quite the same, and steam gives the option to turn of auto start, and game performance whilst steam is running is barely noticable. Maybe one-tenth of a frame.

[Nub1]

Xmas '07 I treated myself to the Orange box. Says on the box Five games are included. All I got was a download client called Steam.

It proceeded to crash my system continuously, hard drives went missing, it didn't update/ patch the games it just redownloaded them entirely. Be careful if you have a download limit on your net connection.

Suffice to say I have never played any of the games since and won't use Steam. It was unreliable and unstable.

[alsenior]

Xmas '07 I treated myself to the Orange box. Says on the box Five games are included. All I got was a download client called Steam.

It proceeded to crash my system continuously, hard drives went missing, it didn't update/ patch the games it just redownloaded them entirely. Be careful if you have a download limit on your net connection.

Suffice to say I have never played any of the games since and won't use Steam. It was unreliable and unstable.

i think the problem in your case was the computer it's self. in about 4 years of usage of steam i've not had a single show stppoing thing with steam. i suggest you try the new client

[TAKTAK]

I'm also yet to have a problem with steam, nice and handy as far as i am concerned, as it means i don't have to look after discs...

[watercooled]

If I buy a game from Steam, does it remember incase I delete it or reformat my PC? Also, how is it with DRM - limited installs, new hardware etc?

[TAKTAK]

If I buy a game from Steam, does it remember incase I delete it or reformat my PC? Also, how is it with DRM - limited installs, new hardware etc?

The game is tied to the account, so as long as you remember your account details, you can access and (re)download the game anywhere, as well as the extras such as steam friends and ingame chat/web browsing

But you can only have one login to the account at a time

[watercooled]

Thanks, looks like some good software.

[TAKTAK]

Oh aye, theres quite a few free total conversion mods that are downloadable, providing that you have a source game in your game list (CS:S, HL2 etc)

examples of which are:

Zombie panic Source: http://www.zombiepanic.org/site/index.php
Synergy: http://synergymod.net/
DIPRIP: http://www.diprip.com/news.php5
Insurgency: http://www.insmod.net/
Age of chivalry: http://www.age-of-chivalry.com/

Plus other freebies, and new ones are coming out all the time...

did i mention that they are free?

(Some/Most/All require HL2)

[merple]

Dystopia and Eternal Silence just got added to the steam servers now too. And a new GoldenEye Source beta was released a few days ago.
Theres also portal prelude for the insane portal players.